Looks like I bought an ergonomic shovel just in time...

I took my Dad to the season opener of CSU basketball tonight. The opponent was the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University, picked to win the Summit Conference. Big expectations for CSU this year and you could tell the city was behind the team with a huge crowd of...2078. See, LeBron was playing down the street and well, it's the same old, same old.

Anyhow, Cleveland State had some issues in the first half. They were getting outrebounded and shot a John Carroll-like 21%, including 2 of 14 from three-point range. Yeah, that's ugly. Oakland shot only 32%, but that was good enough for a 31-24 halftime lead.

In the second half, it was still a struggle. Oakland went up 46-36 with 15:44 left, but only scored 9 points the rest of the way. CSU finally went ahead, 55-53 with 3:12 left, as Norris Cole hit a jumper. Ninety seconds later, he hit a three for a five-point lead and the eventual win. He had awesome defense on the shooter in the final ten seconds as Oakland missed their potential game-tying shot.

The Vikings need some work. Shooting heated up to 47% in the second half, but was only 35% for the game. Fouls shooting was 8 of 14, with not one attempt in the second half. They were also outrebounded by 4. This was a tough game, the type of game you have to pull out in the end, that you'll face many times during the season. Actually had excitement for the few people that were there.

Next week, it's out west to the University of Washington and back home for Kansas State. CSU wins, 58-55.

Meal of Links

How to run a con. Or you could watch any David Mamet movie. Speaking of cons, here's Joe the Plumber's website.

Breakout movie performances from 2008. I missed this many movies? Anyhow, ditto on Toby Kebbel in "Rock N Rolla" and Danny McBride in "Pineapple Express".

Michael Lewis has a long read about Wall Street. Excellent article.

Will Maury Eventually Kill Someone?



Exercise Yard

The Browns may be done, but Randy Lerner's other team had its biggest win to date of his ownership. Aston Villa 2, Arsenal 0. A game in which the Villans did virtually nothing wrong.

Visitor

23 Across: "Lonely Days" group (7 letters) Answer: Bee Gees